Questions people ask
How much does hospice cost in California?
With Medicare, most people pay nothing for hospice care itself. There can be a copay of up to $5 per prescription for symptom medicines and 5% of the Medicare amount for inpatient respite care, about $27 a day in 2026-27. Medicare pays the hospice a daily rate, about $236 a day for routine home care in the first 60 days. The cost families feel most is room and board, which hospice does not pay.
Medically reviewed by Oscar Chien, MD, Medical Director, November 4, 2026
On this page (8 sections)
What does a family pay for hospice?
The answer depends on the coverage. For most people in California, hospice is paid by Medicare or Medi-Cal, and the bill for hospice care itself is small or nothing.
| Coverage | Hospice care itself | Medicines for symptoms | Inpatient respite care | Room and board |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare, including people in Medicare Advantage | Most people pay nothing | Up to $5 per prescription | 5% of the Medicare amount, about $27.30 a day | Not covered |
| Medi-Cal | Usually nothing, beyond any share of cost | Usually nothing | Usually nothing | Medi-Cal may cover it in a nursing facility for eligible residents |
| Medicare and Medi-Cal together | Medicare pays first; usually nothing | Usually nothing | Usually nothing | Medi-Cal may cover it in a nursing facility for eligible residents |
| Veterans (VA) | The VA does not charge a copay for hospice care | Covered as part of the hospice care | Covered as part of the hospice care | Depends on the setting |
| Private insurance | Depends on the plan | Depends on the plan | Depends on the plan | Usually not covered |
| No insurance | Billed to the person unless coverage is found | Included in the hospice rate | Included in the hospice rate | Not covered |
This table is general information, not a benefits determination. The respite figure is 5% of the FY2027 national respite rate of $545.98 before the local wage adjustment. Beta Hospice checks your benefits and tells you your costs before care starts.
What does Medicare pay the hospice each day?
Medicare pays a hospice a set amount for each day a person is on hospice, called a per-diem rate. From that daily amount the hospice provides the team's visits, medicines for the terminal illness, medical equipment and supplies. Families are not billed this amount. Knowing it explains why hospice can bring a hospital bed, oxygen and a nurse without a bill for each one.
Medicare hospice daily rates, October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027
These are the national base rates in the FY2027 hospice final rule. Medicare adjusts each one for local wages, so the amount paid for care in San Bernardino or Riverside County differs from the national figure.
| Level of care | When it is used | Medicare pays the hospice |
|---|---|---|
| Routine home care, days 1 to 60 | Most hospice days, at home or where the person lives | $236.35 a day |
| Routine home care, day 61 on | The same care after the first 60 days | $186.35 a day |
| Continuous home care | Only when medically necessary during a symptom crisis, at home | $1,726.50 for a full 24-hour day, about $71.94 an hour |
| Inpatient respite care | Up to 5 days at a time, to give the caregiver a rest | $545.98 a day |
| General inpatient care | Only when medically necessary during a symptom crisis, in an inpatient setting | $1,231.63 a day |
Source: CMS FY2027 hospice final rule (CMS-1851-F), the same figures as our professional rates table. The level of care is a clinical decision made each day, not a package a family chooses.
What do these numbers look like over a stay?
- Sixty days of routine home care: Medicare pays the hospice about $14,181 at the national rate. The family pays nothing for that care under Medicare, apart from any medicine copays.
- Five days of inpatient respite care: Medicare pays about $2,730. The family's 5% share is about $136.
- Prescription copays: up to $5 each, only for medicines for symptom relief and pain related to the terminal illness. Ask before care starts whether any copay applies.
Which costs does hospice not pay?
Hospice coverage does not pay for room and board, a caregiver in the home all day, treatment meant to cure the terminal illness, or care the hospice team did not arrange. These are the costs families feel most.
Room and board is paid as before. At home it is the household's rent and food. In assisted living or a board-and-care home, it is the facility's monthly fee under the admission agreement. In a nursing facility it is the resident or family, long-term care insurance, or Medi-Cal for eligible residents. See who pays room and board and nursing home room and board on hospice.
If the person lives in assisted living and has Medi-Cal, California's Assisted Living Waiver may help with the cost of care in a participating home. See hospice and the Assisted Living Waiver.
What if there is no insurance?
Hospice care is billed to the person unless coverage is found. Before any agreement you receive a written estimate that lists the included services, any excluded charges and the payment terms. We look for coverage first: many people with a terminal illness and limited income can get Medi-Cal, and our social worker can help start the application. Call before you decide that care is out of reach.
Common questions about hospice costs
Is hospice free with Medicare?
Medicare covers hospice care related to the terminal illness. Under Medicare, most people pay nothing for hospice care itself. There can be a copay of up to $5 per prescription for symptom medicines and 5% of the Medicare amount for inpatient respite care. Medicare does not pay room and board where you live.
Is there a deductible for hospice under Medicare?
No. There is no deductible for hospice care under Medicare. Medicare keeps covering conditions unrelated to the terminal illness, with the usual deductibles and coinsurance.
Does Medicare Advantage change what hospice costs?
No. Once hospice is elected, Original Medicare pays for it, even if you stay in the plan. Plan premiums continue if you keep the plan. See Medicare Advantage and hospice.
Does hospice pay for a caregiver at home all day?
No. The hospice team visits on a schedule and a hospice nurse answers the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can visit when needed. Daily hands-on care at home is given by family or hired caregivers. In California, IHSS may help eligible Medi-Cal members. See IHSS and hospice.
Why does Medicare pay less after day 60?
The first days of hospice usually need more visits, so Medicare pays a higher routine rate for days 1 to 60 and a lower one after that. The care you receive is set by the plan of care, not by the rate.
Does hospice cost more in a nursing home or assisted living?
Hospice care itself is paid the same way wherever the person lives. What changes is room and board: the facility's fee is paid as before, by the resident or family, long-term care insurance, or Medi-Cal for eligible nursing facility residents.
Read more
The full guide by payer: paying for hospice and palliative care. What the daily rate pays for: what hospice provides. The four levels of care in plain words: levels of hospice care.
About this page
- Written by
- Beta Hospice care team
- Medically reviewed by
- Oscar Chien, MD, Medical Director
- Last reviewed
- November 4, 2026
- Next review
- May 4, 2027
How we write and review this site
Sources
- Medicare.gov: Hospice care coverage (opens in a new tab)
- 42 CFR 418.400: Individual liability for coinsurance for hospice care (opens in a new tab)
- CMS: Hospice payment system (annual rate updates and final rules) (opens in a new tab)
- California DHCS: Hospice care (opens in a new tab)
These sources support the general information on this page. For one person鈥檚 care and coverage, talk with the hospice team.
Ask us what hospice would cost for your family.
Call (877) 258-7129 any time, or leave your number and someone from Beta's hospice team will call you. No decision is needed to call. Most families start with a question.
Only a hospice doctor, together with the person鈥檚 own doctor, can confirm hospice eligibility. A website cannot.
- A nurse answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- You can stop hospice at any time
- You have the right to choose your hospice